"Plug plants" or just "plugs" are the names given
to small module grown baby plants that can represent
great value for money, they need to be handled correctly
to get the most out of them.

Correct germination temperatures, humidity
and water levels can be difficult to achieve at home
without propagation equipment, plugs are plants where
the difficult germination phase has been done for you.
Even if you do have these things, the cost of seed in
the small quantities needed by the home gardener can
mean little if any cost saving. They are usually posted
out relatively early in the season and need growing
on under protection before being planted out after all
danger of frost has passed.

They require dealing with as soon as you
receive them, ideally you should prepare for them before
they arrive.

They are usually sold at the point where they are
just ready to pot on to be given more space and compost
to grow in. They should be planted on within a few days
maximum of them arriving with you at home, the sooner
the better. Leave them any longer and they will start
to grow leggy and weak.

If you're not ready to deal with them on arrival,
remove all packaging and place in a bright but coolish
position (not with central heating).

A small tray of plugs will need a lot of space when
potted on, make sure you have the room for them. These
84 plugs will completely fill these 3 seed trays.

I received these half-hardy busy lizzie plugs
in March which was far too soon for them to go outside,
I did what I usually do in plant them into seed trays.
This gives them room and nutrients to grow before planting
them into their final containers for the summer later
on in May.

You could plant them directly into their final containers
as long as you have the space to keep them protected
under cover until it is safe to put them outside. I
have lots of containers and restricted space for protection
so I go for this intermediate stage. It also works well
to grow the plants on if they will eventually be planted
into your soil in beds.

Fill the trays to within 1cm of the top with multi-purpose
compost.

As The plants are small and delicate, pulling
from the foliage can result in separating top growth
from roots if you're unlucky! Soak the plugs
in water for half an hour or so before removing them
to soften the compost they are in if necessary.

Tilt the tray up and gently squeeze the bottom of
the plug to loosen it, it may then start to fall out
or can be readily pulled from above without fear of
damage. If it's a bit stubborn squeeze in one direction
and then in the other.

You'll need to do some sums before you start
to make sure you have enough space for the plugs to
be planted into. I have 84 here which is 3
seed trays of 28 plants. Each tray has 4 rows of 7.
make a hole in preparation with your finger, gently
place the plug into the hole and then push the compost
together with your fingers.

When you have filled your seed trays, the young plants
should be watered. I recommend that you use tap water
for this first watering rather than rain water from
a butt. Water in butts will build up bacterial and fungal
spores that are gathered in the run-off and also from
organic material that gets in the butt. While larger
plants prefer rain water and cope with this, it's best
not to make life more difficult than needs be at this
stage for these transplanted and somewhat traumatised
young plans.

I prefer to water from below rather than above as
it disturbs the compost the least.

I use my wheelbarrow for this purpose. Fill it to a depth
of 2 inches or so with water and carefully place the tray of
plants in it. It will float to begin with and then slowly sink,
keep an eye on it though I've never had one go below the water
level! They sit with the water level with the compost. Lift
the tray out and place it on the ground to drain fully before
placing it in a bright protected place such as a frost-free
greenhouse or similar.

The plants can be put in their final positions in containers
or in the soil in May when risk of frost has passed, the exact
on where you live.

1/3rd of the plugs as received on the
left fill the seed tray.

A few weeks later and ready to plant
in their final flowering positions for the summer.

Large plug plants

Some plants such as fuchsias that are grown
from cuttings rather than seed are sold as large plugs
and can represent excellent value, again they
need to be dealt with correctly almost immediately you
receive them.

You will need:

Large plug plants

3" or 3 1/2" plant pots, 1 for
each large plug plant

Multi purpose compost

Plant labels if required

These are rooted Fuchsia cuttings that have arrived
mail order from
Thompson & Morgan in cosy little greenhouses, the
same principles here apply to all large plug plants.

These cuttings were placed in biodegradeable
pots at the nursery so the roots can grow through as
can be seen in this picture, they don't need to be removed
from them. The packing that the plants arrive
in ensures they arrive intact and in good condition.
Remove them on reciept, if you leave them in the plastic
"greenhouse" they will become crowded and leggy and
there is a risk of fungal disease.

If the rooted cuttings are removed from the packaging,
these roots will shrivel if left exposed to the air
for a day or two. They really need potting on on the
day of receipt or the next day at the latest.

To get the best from these plants, I use 3 or 3 1/2
inch pots and multi purpose compost.

Be aware that these two small packs of 6
cuttings each will take up considerably more space when
grown on individual plant pots, so don't be
too enthusiastic when ordering as you may end
up with more than you can deal with.

Fill the pots with compost and firm down gently,
use a finger to make a hole about the same size as the
root ball of the cuttings.

Place the plant into the hole and gentle
push the compost up against the root ball. The soil
level should be exactly the same as it is for the cutting,
not sticking out at all nor buried below the surface.

Now is the time to label the plants. These are four
are different varieties as can be seen to some degree
by their different leaf size, shade and start of growth
habit.

When all of your plants are potted up, you
will need to water them I prefer to do this from below
rather than above at this point as it disturbs the compost
the least.

This is done by placing the pots into a tray of water
at least an inch deep (too deep and the pots will start
to float and may tip up) I use my wheelbarrow for this
purpose.

I recommend that you use clean tap water for this
first watering rather than rain water from a butt.

Grow these plugs on in a sheltered place until all
risk of frost is passed before you put them outside
in larger containers for the summer. They WILL need
planting on again. each plant should be given the equivalent
of 2-3 litres of compost in a container, so 3, 4 or
5 in a 10L basket for instance, more will fill it quicker
but will become overgrown sooner.